Neuregulins as modulators of cellular communication

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods of affecting cellular communication in a vertebrate. The communication is affected by the administration of a neuregulin to a vertebrate, where the neuregulin interacts with a first cell type which results in the production of a product (i.e., Product A). This product, in turn, affects the function of a second cell type. Methods are disclosed in which the affect in function of the second cell type, described above, results in the production of a second product (i.e., Product B) which, in turn, can affect the function of the first cell type or a third cell type. Additional methods are included for treatment of disorders involving an altered or inadequate level of production of a product involved in cellular communication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to methods of affecting cellular communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vertebrate cells depend on externally produced factors for growth, differentiation and survival. These factors can be in the form of diffusible, molecules that act at a distance from their site of synthesis. Alternatively these factors can be in the form of cell-surface-bound molecules that rely on cell-to-cell contact for their function. In many cases, different cell types may interact in a reciprocal manner in that both cell types produce factors that affect the other cell type. Vertebrates rely on these reciprocal interactions during embryogenesis and during the response to injury and disease.

[0003] Interdependence of cells and tissues play important roles in the vertebrate nervous system. The nervous system is composed of neurons and neuroglial support cells. Peripheral nervous system axons are ensheathed by neuroglial cells (Schwann cells) and target organs include skin, sensory receptors, muscle and other neurons. Additionally, peripheral axons interact with components of the central nervous system in the spinal cord. These include neurons and neuroglial cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

[0004] It is well established that neurons and the tissues and cells with which they interact are dependent on each other for trophic support. This relationship is mediated by factors (proteins) produced by neurons that maintain the viability of target tissues (e.g. motor neuron derived factors that maintain muscle integrity) and neurotrophic factors produced by target (and other) tissues that maintain neuronal viability (e.g. muscle derived factors that maintain motor neuron viability). This interdependence plays an important role in embryonic development, maintenance of viability and response to injury in the nervous system and its targets.

[0005] The survival of various neuronal populations has been thought to be dependent only upon neurotrophic factors produced by targets of innervation. Recently it has been realized that neurotrophic factors are also derived from axonally associated cells (periaxonal glia), soma associated (perisomatic) cells (e.g. glia and efferent synapses) and from autocrine sources. These proteins are taken up by neurons where they exert their effect at the cell body. Neurotrophic factors either maintain the viability of the neuron or induce specific effects such as axonal extension, sprouting and other responses to injury and disease. Examples include factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and related molecules as well as ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), insulin like growth factor (IGF) and fibroblast growth factors (FGF's) that all have neurotrophic activity and are derived from neuronally associated tissues as diverse as muscle, Schwann cells and spinal cord astrocytes and other neurons (e.g., Nishi, Science (1994) 265:1052).

[0006] The identification of pharmaceutical products or agents which induce the endogenous production of trophic factors would be beneficial treatment of diseases which involve trophic support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In general, the present invention relates to methods of affecting cellular communication in a vertebrate. The communication is affected by the administration of a neuregulin to a vertebrate, where the neuregulin interacts with a first cell type which results in the production of a product or products (i.e., Product(s) A) or products. This product, in turn, affects the function of a second cell type. (See FIGS. 9 and 10)

[0008] Neuregulins are a family of protein factors encoded by one gene. A variety of messenger RNA splicing variants (and their resultant proteins) are derived from this gene and many of these products show binding and activation to erbB2 (neu) and closely related receptors erbB3 and erbB4. The invention provides methods for using all of the known products of the neuregulin gene, as well as, other not yet discovered splicing variants of the neuregulin gene.

[0009] Methods also are provided by the invention in which the affect in function of the second cell type, as described above, results in the production of a second product (i.e., Product B) which, in turn, can affect the function of the first cell type or a third cell type. (See FIGS. 9 and 10)

[0010] Included in the invention as well, are methods for treatment when disorders involve an altered or inadequate level of production of a product involved in cellular communication.

[0011] Advantages of the present invention include the development of new therapeutic approaches to injury or disease based on the interdependence or communication of cells and the ability to influence or affect that communication with neuregulins. For example, a neuregulin factor that is produced by the second cell type can induce the first cell type to produce a product or products (Product(s) A) that are trophic for the second cell type. More specifically, cells and tissues that are associated with neurons may be induced to respond to a neuronally produced factor (neuregulin). This response would be in the form of the production of products (Product(s) A) that are trophic for neurons. The endogenous induction of more than one neurotrophic products by the neuregulin would be more effective than the therapeutic use of a single neurotrophic factor. Neurotrophic factors generally have restricted effects on specific neuronal subtypes (e.g. CNTF is trophic for motor neurons and NGF is trophic for sympathetic neurons as well as a subset of sensory neurons). Furthermore, the types of neurotrophic factors produced by a particular tissue are probably dependent on the target neuron type as well as the type and stage of injury. As an example, CNTF, which is trophic for motor neurons, is released by Schwann cells in the early stages of recovery from nerve injury. This is replaced within a few days by Schwann cell and muscle derived BDNF, another motor neuron trophic factor (Curtis, et al., Nature (1993) 365:253-255; and Funakoshi, et al, J. Cell Biol. (1993) 123:455-465). In addition multiple neurotrophic factors function in vivo and may be synergistic in their effects. For example, it has been shown that multiple factors more efficiently arrest disease induced neuronal degeneration in animals than the use of a single factor (Mitsumoto et al., Science (1994) 265:1107).

[0012] In the central nervous system, the neuregulin target, the first cell type, could be a neuron that in turn produces Product(s) A. Product A then affects other tissues (the second cell type) that produce neurotrophic products (Product(s) B) that affect the second cell type (the second cell type may be the source of the neuregulin), or perhaps a third cell type.

[0013] Thus, the use of the neuregulins, that are trophic for neuronally associated tissues in the manner described above would be therapeutically useful. Treatment would ensure the production of target specific combinations of products that are tailored to a particular disease state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the method used to set up the SCG (superior cervical ganglion)/culture tube experiments.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the grid reticule inserted in the microscope ocular, which at a total magnification of 160×, allowed quantification of Schwann cell outgrowth and neurite outgrowth for the SCG/culture tube experiments.

[0016]FIG. 3A shows the control data, that is, Schwann cell number as a function of distance from the SCG explant, for the SCG/culture tube experiments.

[0017]FIG. 3B shows experimental data, of Schwann- cell outgrowth for the SCG/culture tube experiments, at a dosage of 5 ng/ml rhGGF2.

[0018]FIG. 3C shows experimental data, of Schwann cell outgrowth for the SCG/culture tube experiments, at a dosage of 50 ng/ml rhGGF2.

[0019]FIG. 3D shows experimental data, of Schwann cell outgrowth for the SCG/culture tube experiments, at a dosage of 500 ng/ml rhGGF2.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows the total number of Schwann cells as a function of days in vitro for the SCG/culture tube experiments.

[0021]FIG. 5 shows experimental data, of neurite outgrowth, as a function of distance from the SCG explant, for the SCG/culture tube experiments performed at dosage levels of 5, 50 and 500 ng/ml rhGGF2.

[0022]FIG. 6A shows a 2-dimensional dose-response matrix, used to examine the effects of rhGGF2 on neuronal survival and outgrowth.

[0023]FIG. 6B illustrates the manner of counting, used in the afore-mentioned 2-dimensional dose-response experiment, by showing a representative sample well with fields of view.

[0024]FIG. 7 shows experimental data of the effects of rhGGF2 on neuronal survival and outgrowth.

[0025]FIG. 8A shows data on the effects of exogenous GGF on the number of myelinated axons at 28 days post-injury.

[0026]FIG. 8B shows the above-referenced data in bar graph form.

[0027]FIG. 9 represents a schematic illustration of the affect neuregulins can have on cellular communication.

[0028]FIG. 10 represents a schematic illustration of specific effects of neuregulins on cellular communication.

[0029]FIG. 11A is a listing of the coding strand DNA sequence and deduced amino aid sequence of the cDNA obtained from splicing pattern number 1 in FIG. 26. Potential glycosylation sites are underlined (along with polyadenylation signal AATAAA);

[0030]FIG. 11B is a listing of the coding strand DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA obtained from splicing pattern of GGF2BPP2. Potential glycosylation sites are underlined (along with polyadenylation signal AATAAA);

[0031]FIG. 11C is a listing of the coding strand DNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA obtained from splicing pattern of GGF2BPP3. Potential glycosylation sites are underlined (along with polyadenylation signal AATAAA).

[0032]FIG. 12 is a diagram of representative splicing variants. The coding segments are represented by F, E, B, A, G, C, C/D, C/D′, D, D′, H, K, and L. The location of the peptide sequences derived from purified protein are indicated by “o.”

[0033]FIG. 13 is a listing of the DNA sequences and predicted peptide sequences of the coding segments of GGF. Line 1 is a listing of the predicted amino acid sequences of bovine GGF, line 2 is a listing of the nucleotide sequences of bovine GGF, line 3 is a listing of the nucleotide sequences of human GGF (heregulin) (nucleotide base matches are indicated with a vertical line) and line 4 is a listing of the predicted amino acid sequences of human GGF/heregulin where it differs from the predicted bovine sequence. Coding segments E, A′ and K represent only the bovine sequences. Coding segment D′ represents only the human (heregulin) sequence.

[0034]FIG. 14 is the predicted GGF2 amino acid sequence and nucleotide sequence of BPP5. The upper line is the nucleotide sequence and the lower line is the predicted amino acid sequence.

[0035]FIG. 15 is the predicted amino acid sequence and nucleotide sequence of GGF2BPP2. The upper line is the nucleotide sequence and the lower line is the predicted amino acid sequence.

[0036]FIG. 16 is the predicted amino acid sequence and nucleotide sequence of GGF2BPP4. The upper line is the nucleotide sequence and the lower line is the predicted amino acid sequence.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a list of splicing variants derived from the sequences shown in FIG. 13.

[0038]FIG. 18 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL1.

[0039]FIG. 19 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL2.

[0040]FIG. 20 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL3.

[0041]FIG. 21 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL4.

[0042]FIG. 22 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL5.

[0043]FIG. 23 is the predicted amino acid sequence, bottom, and nucleic sequence, top, of EGFL6.

[0044]FIG. 24 is the predicted amino acid sequence (middle) and nucleic sequence (top) of GGF2HBS5. The bottom (intermittent) sequence represents peptide sequences derived from GGF-II preparations.

[0045]FIG. 25 is the sequences of GGFHBS5, GGFHB1 and GGFBPP5 polypeptides.

[0046]FIG. 26 is the amino acid sequence of cDNA encoding mature hGGF2.

[0047]FIG. 27 depicts a stretch of the putative bovine GGF-II gene sequence from the recombinant bovine genomic phage GGF2BG1. The figure is the coding strand of the DNA sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence in the third reading frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] It is intended that all references cited shall be incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] General

[0050] The invention pertains to methods of affecting cellular communication in vertebrates. The communication is affected by the administration of a neuregulin to a vertebrate where the neuregulin interacts with a first cell type which results in the production of a product. This product, in turn, affects the function of a second cell type. More specifically, the invention relates to the induction of endogenous tropic factors (products) by the administration of a neuregulin.

[0051] Methods also are provided by the invention in which the affect in function of the second cell type, described above, results in the production of a second product which, in turn, can affect the function of the first cell type, the second cell type or a third cell type.

[0052] Definition of Key Terms

[0053] The term affecting as used herein refers to the induction of a quantitative change in the response of a target cell, as a result of an interaction with a Product.

[0054] The term interacts as used herein refers to a contact with a target (cell), including but not limited to binding of a product to a cell receptor.

[0055] The term cellular communication as used herein refers to the synthesis of a substance in one cell type and the interaction of that substance with a second cell type. This process includes but is not limited to secretion of the substance from a cell. The substance elicits a change in the second cell type or with the first cell type. Communication can occur reciprocally or non-reciprocally with one or more cell types.

[0056] The term vertebrate as used herein refers to an animal that is a member of the Subphylum Vertebrata (Phylum Chordata).

[0057] The term administration as used herein refers to a pharmaceutical preparation of a substance and the delivery of that preparation to a recipient.

[0058] The term neuregulin as used herein refers to the glial growth factors, the heregulins, neu differentiation factor, acetylcholine receptor inducing activity, and erbB2, 3 and 4 binding proteins. A more complete definition of neuregulins can be found in the specification herein and in the following materials: U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,056; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 08/249,322; WO 92/20798; EPO 0 505 148 A1; Marchionni, et al., Nature 362:313, 1993; Benveniste, et al., PNAS 82:3930-3934, 1985; Kimura, et al., Nature (1990) 348:257-260; Davis and Stroobant, J. Cell. Biol. (1990) 110:1353-1360; Wen, et al., Cell (1992) 69:559; Yarden and Ullrich, Ann. Rev. Biochem. (1988) 57:443, ; Holmes, et al., Science 256:1205, 1992; Dobashi, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:8582, 1991; Lupu, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (1992) 89:2287; Peles and Yarden, BioEssays (1993) 15:815, Mudge, Current Biology (1993) 3:361, all hereby incorporated by reference.

[0059] The term first cell type as used herein refers to the cell type that interacts with a neuregulin. The first cell type includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: neuron, glial cell, Schwann cell, astrocyte, oligodendrocyte, myoblast, muscle cell, satellite cell, skin cell, sensory organ cell, inflammatory cell such as macrophage, neutrophil, T-cell, eosinophil, mast cell, basophil and stromal cell such as fibroblasts or endothelial cells. Bloom and Fawcett, A Textbook of Histology, tenth ed. (1975), W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

[0060] The term second cell type as used herein refers to the cell type that interacts with and responds to Product A. The second cell type includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: neuron, glial cell, Schwann cell, astrocyte, oligodendrocyte, myoblast, muscle cell, satellite cell, skin cell, sensory organ cell, inflammatory cell such as macrophage, neutrophil, T-cell, eosinophil, mast cell, basophil and stromal cell such as fibroblasts or endothelial cells. A more complete definition may be found in Bloom and Fawcett, A Textbook of Histology, tenth ed. (1975), W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

[0061] The term third cell type as used herein refers to a cell type that interacts with and responds to Product B. The third cell type may be identical to the first cell type. The third cell type includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: neuron, glial cell, Schwann cell, astrocyte, oligodendrocyte, myoblast, muscle cell, satellite cell, skin cell, sensory organ cell, inflammatory cell such as macrophage, neutrophil, T-cell, eosinophil, mast cell, basophil and stromal cell such as fibroblasts or endothelial cells. A more complete definition may be found in Bloom and Fawcett, A Textbook of Histology, tenth ed. (1975), W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

[0062] The term production as used herein refers to induced or constitutive synthesis and/or release of a Product from a cell.

[0063] The term Product as used herein refers to any substance as defined herein as Product A or Product B.

[0064] The term Product A as used herein refers to the substances whose synthesis and release is induced in the first cell type by neuregulin. Such substances include but are not limited to one or more of the following: nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, leukemia inhibiting factor, interleukin 6, platelet derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor β, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α, neuregulins, insulin like growth factor, matrix molecules, adhesion molecules, growth factor receptors, low affinity NGF receptor, proteases, protease inhibitors, and antioxidants.

[0065] The term Product B as used herein refers to the substances whose synthesis and release is induced in the second cell type by Product A. Such substances include but are not limited to one or more of the following: nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, leukemia inhibiting factor, interleukin 6, platelet derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor β, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α, neuregulins, glial derived neurotrophic factor, insulin like growth factor, matrix molecules, adhesion molecules, growth factor receptors, low affinity NGF receptor (p75), proteases, protease inhibitors and antioxidants.

[0066] The term function as used herein refers to a any activity or response of a cell. These include but are not limited to proliferation, differentiation, growth, survival, changes in the pattern of gene expression and secretion, and metabolic changes.

[0067] The term glial cell as used herein refers to connective and support tissues of the nervous system and includes ectodermally derived astrocytes, oligodendroglia, Schwann cells and mesodermally derived microglia and their progenitors. A more complete definition of glial cells and their progenitors can be found in the following materials: Anderson, FASEB J. (1994) 8:707-713; Reynolds and Weiss, Science (1992) 255:1707-1710; Reynolds, Tetzlaff, and Weiss, J. Neurosci (1992) 12:4565-4574; and Kandel, et al., Principles of Neuroscience, third ed. (1991), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.

[0068] The term astrocyte as used herein refers to a neuroglial cell of ectodermal origin and its progenitor cells. This cell has a round nucleus and a “star shaped” body and many long processes that end as vascular foot plates on the small blood vessels of the CNS and is associated with other structures. A more complete definition of astrocyte and its progenitors can be found in the following materials: Reynolds and Weiss, Science (1992) 255:1707-1710; Reynolds, Tetzlaff, and Weiss, J. Neurosci (1992) 12:4565-4574; and Kandel, et al., Principles of Neuroscience, third ed. (1991), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.

[0069] The term skin cell as used herein refers to the cellular components of the skin and include fibroblasts, keratinocytes, epidermal cells, hair follicle cells, melanocytes, myoepithelial sweat gland cells, and sebaceous gland cells and their progenitors. A more complete definition of skin cells and their progenitors can be found in, Wheater, et al., Functional Histology (1987), Churchill Livingstone, New York, N.Y.

[0070] The term Schwann cell as used herein refers to the neuroglial cell composing the neurolemma of peripheral nerve fibers and its progenitors. A more complete definition of Schwann cells and their progenitors can be found in the following materials: Anderson, FASEB J. (1994) 8:707-713; Kandel, et al., Principles of Neuroscience, third ed. (1991), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.

[0071] The term oligodendrocyte as used herein refers to the neuroglial cells, of ectodermal origin, with small oval nuclei and fine cytoplasmic processes that are responsible for the formation of myelin in the CNS. The progenitors of oligodendrocytes are also included. A more complete definition of oligodendrocytes and their progenitors can be found in, Kandel, et al., Principles of Neuroscience, third ed. (1991), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.

[0072] The term sensory organ cell as used herein refers to a primary sensory cell contained within a sensory organ and its progenitors and includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: taste cells, olfactory epithelial cell, rod and cone photoreceptors, Meisner corpuscle, Ruffini corpuscle, Merckel receptor, Pacinian corpuscle, muscle spindle cell, cochleovestibular hair cells and joint mechanoreceptor cells. A more complete definition of sensory organ cells and their progenitors can be found in, Wheater, et al., Functional Histology (1987), Churchill Livingstone, New York, N.Y.; Mahanthappa and Schwarting, Neuron (1993) 10:293-305; Forge, Li, Corwin and Nevill, Science (1993) 259:1616-1622; Tsue, Watling, Weisleder, Coltrera and Rubel, J. Neurosci (1994) 14:140-152.

[0073] The term neurotrophic agent as used herein refers to a substance that elicits a trophic effect in one or more neuronal subtypes. These effects include but are not limited to survival, sprouting and differentiation.

[0074] The term neuron as used herein refers to a complete nerve cell, including the cell body and all of its processes, and its progenitors. A more complete definition of neuron and its progenitors can be found in the following materials: Reynolds and Weiss, Science (1992) 255:1707-1710; Reynolds, Tetzlaff, and Weiss, J. Neurosci (1992) 12:45654574; Ray, Peterson, Schinstine, and Gage, PNAS (1993) 90:3602-3606; and Kandel, et al., Principles of Neuroscience, third ed. (1991), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.

[0075] The term matrix molecule as used herein refers to a chemical component of the insoluble meshwork of extracellular proteins that mediate adhesive interactions between cells and modulate the functions of cells.

[0076] The term muscle cell as used herein refers to a cellular component of skeletal, smooth or cardiac muscle, including but not limited to myofibrils, satellite cells, and myoepithelial cells and their progenitors. A more complete definition of muscle cells can be found in, Wheater, et al., Functional Histology (1987), Churchill Livingstone, New York, N.Y.; and Myology, ed. by Engel and Franzini-Armstrong, second ed. (1994) McGraw Hill, New York, N.Y.

[0077] The term protease as used herein refers to an enzyme that hydrolyses peptide bonds in a protein molecule.

[0078] The term protease inhibitor as used herein refers to a molecule that inhibits the activity and/or function of a protease.

[0079] The term differentiation as used herein refers to a morphological and/or chemical change that results in the generation of a different cell type or state of specialization. The differentiation of cells as used herein refers to the induction of a cellular developmental program which specifies one or more components of a cell type. The therapeutic usefulness of differentiation can be seen, in increases in quantity of any component of a cell type in diseased tissue by at least 10% or more, more preferably by 50% or more, and most preferably by more than 100% relative to the equivalent tissue in a similarly treated control animal.

[0080] The term mitosis as used herein refers to the division of a cell where each daughter nucleus receives identical complements of the numbers of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic cells of the species. Mitosis as used herein refers to any cell division which results in the production of new cells in the patient. More specifically, a useful therapeutic is defined in vitro as an increase in mitotic index relative to untreated cells of 50%, more preferably 100%, and most preferably 300%, when the cells are exposed to labeling agent for a time equivalent to two doubling times. The mitotic index is the fraction of cells in the culture which have labeled nuclei when grown in the presence of a tracer which only incorporates during S phase (i.e., BrdU) and the doubling time is defined as the average time required for the number of cells in the culture to increase by a factor of two.

[0081] An effect on mitosis in vivo is defined as an increase in satellite cell activation as measured by the appearance of labeled satellite cells in the muscle tissue of a mammal exposed to a tracer which only incorporates during S phase (i.e., BrdU). A useful therapeutic is defined in vivo as a compound which increases satellite cell activation relative to a control mammal by at least 10%, more preferably by at least 50%, and most preferably by more than 200% when the mammal is exposed to labeling agent for a period of greater than 15 minutes and tissues are assayed between 10 hours and 24 hours after administration of the mitogen at the therapeutic dose.

[0082] The term survival as used herein refers to any process where a cell avoids death. The term survival as used herein also refers to the prevention of cell loss as evidenced by necrosis or apoptosis or the prevention of other mechanisms of cell loss. Survival as used herein indicates a decrease in the rate of cell death or at least 10%, more preferably by at least 50%, and most preferably by the least 300% relative to an untreated control. The rate of survival may be measured by counting cells stainable with a dye specific for dead cells (such as propidium iodide) in culture when the cells are 8 days post-differentiation (i.e., 8 days after the media is changed from 20% to 0.5% serum).

[0083] The term disorder as used herein refers to a disturbance of function and/or structure of a living organism, resulting from an external source, a genetic predisposition, a physical or chemical trauma, or a combination of the above, including but not limited to any mammalian disease.

[0084] The term treating as used herein may refer to a procedure (e.g. medical procedure) designed to exert a beneficial effect on a disorder. Treating as used herein means any administration of a substance described herein for the purpose of increasing cellular communication of products. Most preferably, the treating is for the purpose of reducing or diminishing the symptoms or progression of a disease or disorder of cells. Treating as used herein also means the administration of a substance to increase or alter the cells in healthy individuals. The treating may be brought about by the contacting of the cells which are sensitive or responsive to the neuregulins described herein with an effective amount of the neuregulin.

[0085] The term mammal as used herein describes a member of the Class Mammalia (Subphylum Vertebrata).

[0086] The term neurological disorder as described herein refers to a disorder of the nervous system.

[0087] The term administration as used herein refers to the act of delivering a substance, including but not limited to the following routes: parenteral, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraorbital, ophthalmic, intraventricular, intracranial, intracapsular, intraspinal, intracisternal, intraperitoneal, topical, intranasal, aerosol, scarification, orally, buccal, rectal or vaginal.

[0088] The term therapeutically effective amount as used herein refers to that amount which will produce a desirable result upon administration and which will vary depending upon a number of issues, including the dosage to be administered, and the route of administration.

[0089] The term peripheral neuropathy as used herein refers to functional disturbances and/or pathological changes in the peripheral nervous system.

[0090] The term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as used herein refers to a motor neuron disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of the neurons that give rise to the corticospinal tract that results in a deficit in upper and lower motor neurons.

[0091] The term spinal muscular atrophy as used herein refers to a progressive disease of upper and lower motor neurons, usually present in childhood.

[0092] The term Alzheimer's Disease as used herein refers to a progressive central neurodegeneration involving loss of cortical and other neurons, and associated with neurofibrillary tangles and β-amyloid deposits.

[0093] The term Parkinson's Disease as used herein refers to a progressive central neurodegeneration involving dopaminergic neurons.

[0094] The term trophic as used herein refers to an effect of a substance on a cell, including but not limited to proliferation, growth, sprouting, differentiation or survival.

[0095] The term neuregulin producing cell as used herein refers to a cell that produces a neuregulin. The term refers to all producer cells including cells that produce recombinant neuregulins.

[0096] The term nervous system cell as used herein includes nervous system support cells and neurons.

[0097] Neuregulins

[0098] A novel aspect of the present invention relates to the ability of neuregulins to affect cellular communication between different and similar cell types. Neuregulins are the products of a gene which produce a number of variably-sized, differentially-spliced RNA transcripts that give rise to a series of proteins. These proteins are of different lengths and contain some common peptide sequences and some unique peptide sequences. The conclusion that these factors are encoded by a single gene is supported by the differentially-spliced RNA sequences which are recoverable from bovine posterior pituitary, human spinal chord and human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Further support for this conclusion derives from the size range of proteins which act as ligands for the p185^(erbB2) receptor (see below).

[0099] Further evidence to support the fact that the genes encoding GGF/p185^(erbB2) binding proteins are homologous comes from nucleotide sequence comparison. Holmes et al., (Science (1992) 256:1205-1210) demonstrate the purification of a 45-kilodalton human protein (Heregulin-α) which specifically interacts with the receptor protein p185^(erbB2). Peles et al., (Cell (1992) 69:559) describe a complementary DNA isolated from rat cells encoding a protein call “neu differentiation factor” (NDF). The translation product of the NDF cDNA has p185^(erbB) binding activity. Several other groups have reported the purification of proteins of various molecular weights with p185^(erbB2) binding activity. These groups include the following: Lupu et al., (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:2287; Yarden and Peles, (1991) Biochemistry 30:3543; Lupu et al., (1990) Science 249:1552; Dobashi et al., (1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 179:1536; and Huang et al., (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 257:11508-11512.

[0100] We have found that p185^(erbB2) and related receptor binding proteins (i.e., p185^(erbB3) and p185^(erbB4)) affect cellular communication. This effect results in the production of a product from a first cell type, where the product, in turn affects the function of a second cell type. The affect in a function of the second cell type and can result in the production of other products which also can affect functions of other cell types. For example, neuregulins can interact with Schwann cells, which as a result of this interaction produce neurotrophic agents. These agents, in turn, interact with neurons to promote their neuronal regeneration. Alternatively, in the central nervous system, a first cell type, being a neuron, could produce a neuregulin, which in turn, affects a second cell type which is a neuron also.

[0101] These neuregulins may be identified using the protocols described herein (Examples 1 and 2) and in Holmes et al., Science (1992) 256: 1205; Peles et al., Cell (1992) 69:205; Wen et al., Cell (1992) 69:559; Lupu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1992) 89:2287; Yarden and Peles, Biochemistry (1991) 30:3543; Lupu et al., Science (1990) 249:1552; Dobashi et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. (1991) 179:1536; Huang et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1992) 257:11508-11512; Marchionni et al., Nature (1993) 362:313; and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/931,041, filed Aug. 17, 1992, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Specifically, the invention provides for use of polypeptides of a specified formula, and DNA sequences encoding those polypeptides. The polypeptides have the formula

WYBAZCX

[0103] wherein WYBAZCX is composed of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13; wherein W comprises the polypeptide segment F, or is absent; wherein Y comprises the polypeptide segment E, or is absent; wherein Z comprises the polypeptide segment G or is absent; and wherein X comprises the polypeptide segments C/D HKL, C/D H, C/D HL, C/D D, C/D′ HL, C/D′ HKL, C/D′ H, C/D′ D, C/D C/D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ H, C/D C/D′ HL, C/D C/D′ D, C/D D′ H, C/D D′ HL, C/D D′ HKL, C/D′ D′ H, C/D′ D′ HL, C/D′ D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ D′ H, C/D C/D′ D′ HL, or C/D C/D′ D′ HKL; provided that, either

[0104] a) at least one of F, Y, B, A, Z, C, or X is of bovine origin; or

[0105] b) Y comprises the polypeptide segment E; or

[0106] c) X comprises the polypeptide segments C/D HKL, C/D D, C/D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ D, C/D D′ H, C/D D′ HL, C/D D′ HKL, C/D′ D′ H, C/D′ D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ D′ H, C/D C/D′ D′ HL, C/D C/D′ D′ HKL, C/D′H, C/D C/D′H, or C/D C/D′ HL.

[0107] In addition, the invention includes the use of the DNA sequence comprising coding segments ^(5′)FBA^(3′) as well as the with corresponding polypeptide segments having the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13;

[0108] the DNA sequence comprising the coding segments ^(5′)FBA′^(3′) as well as the corresponding polypeptide segments having the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13;

[0109] the DNA sequence comprising the coding segments ^(5′)FEBA^(3′) as well as the corresponding polypeptide segments having the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13;

[0110] the DNA sequence comprising the coding segments ^(5′)FEBA′^(3′) as well as the corresponding polypeptide segments having the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13;

[0111] the DNA sequence comprising the polypeptide coding segments of the GGF2HBS5 cDNA clone (ATCC Deposit No. 75298, deposited Sep. 2, 1992), also known as GGF-II.

[0112] The invention further includes the use of peptides of the formula FBA, FEBA, FBA′ FEBA′ and DNA sequences encoding these peptides wherein the polypeptide segments correspond to amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 13. The polypeptide purified GGF-II polypeptide is also included as part of the invention.

[0113] Also included in this invention is the mature GGF peptide and the DNA encoding said peptide, exclusive of the N-terminal signal sequence, which is also useful for treatment of conditions involving abnormalities in cellular communication.

[0114] Furthermore, the invention includes a method of cellular communication by the application to a vertebrate of a

[0115] −30 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the MDA-MB 231 human breast cell line; or

[0116] −35 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the rat I-EJ transformed fibroblast cell line to the glial cell; or

[0117] −75 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the SKBR-3 human breast cell line; or

[0118] −44 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the rat I-EJ transformed fibroblast cell line, or

[0119] −25 kD polypeptide factor isolated from activated mouse peritoneal macrophages; or

[0120] −45 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the MDA-MB 231 human breast cell; or

[0121] −7 to 14 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the ATL-2 human T-cell line to the glial cell; or

[0122] −25 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the bovine kidney cell; or

[0123] −42 kD polypeptide factor (ARIA) isolated from brains.

[0124] The invention further includes a method for the use of the EGFL1, EGFL2, EGFL3, EGFL4, EGFL5, and EGFL6 polypeptides, FIG. 18 to 23 and respectively, for the methods of affecting cellular communication in vivo and in vitro.

[0125] Also included in the invention is the administration of the GGF-II polypeptide whose sequence is shown in FIG. 24 for affecting cellular communication.

[0126] An additional aspect of the invention includes the use of the above-referenced peptides for the purpose of stimulating Schwann cells to produce growth factors which may, in turn, be harvested for scientific or therapeutic use.

[0127] Thus, the invention further embraces a polypeptide factor capable of affecting cellular communication and including an amino acid sequence encoded by:

[0128] (a) a DNA sequence shown in FIG. 11;

[0129] (b) a DNA sequence shown in FIG. 27;

[0130] (c) the DNA sequence represented by nucleotides 281-557 of the sequences shown in FIG. 11; or

[0131] (d) a DNA sequence hybridizable to any one of the DNA sequences according to (a), (b) or (c).

[0132] The invention further includes sequences which have greater than 60%, preferably 80%, sequence identity of homology to the sequences indicated above.

[0133] While the present invention is not limited to a particular set of hybridization conditions, the following protocol gives general guidance which may, if desired, be followed:

[0134] DNA probes may be labeled to high specific activity (approximately 10⁸ to 10⁹ ³²Pdmp/μg) by nick-translation or by PCR reactions according to Schowalter and Sommer (Anal. Biochem. (1989) 177:90-94) and purified by desalting on G-150 Sephadex columns. Probes may be denatured (10 minutes in boiling water followed by immersion into ice water), then added to hybridization solutions of 80% buffer B (2 g polyvinylpyrolidine, 2 g Ficoll-400, 2 g bovine serum albumin, 50 ml 1 M Tris HCL (pH 7.5), 58 g NaCl, 1 g sodium pyrophosphate, 10 g sodium dodecyl sulfate, 950 ml H₂O) containing 10% dextran sulfate at 10⁶ dpm ³²P per ml and incubated overnight (approximately 16 hours) at 60° C. The filters may then be washed at 60° C. first in buffer B for 15 minutes followed by three 20-minute washes in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS then one for 20 minutes in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS.

[0135] In other respects, the invention provides:

[0136] (a) a basic polypeptide factor which has, if obtained from bovine pituitary material, an observed molecular weight, whether in reducing conditions or not, of from about 30 kD to about 36 kD on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the following molecular weight standards: Lysozyme (hen egg white) 14,400 Soybean trypsin inhibitor 21,500 Carbonic anhydrase (bovine) 31,000 Ovalbumin (hen egg white) 45,000 Bovine serum albumin 66,200 Phosphorylase B (rabbit muscle)  97,400;

[0137]  which factor has glial cell mitogenic activity including stimulating the division of rat Schwann cells in the presence of fetal calf plasma, and when isolated using reversed-phase HPLC retains at least 50% of said activity after 10 weeks incubation in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid at 4° C.; and

[0138] (b) a basic polypeptide factor which has, if obtained from bovine pituitary material, an observed molecular weight, under non-reducing conditions, or from about 55 kD to about 63 kD on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the following molecular weight standards: Lysozyme (hen egg white) 14,400 Soybean trypsin inhibitor 21,500 Carbonic anhydrase (bovine) 31,000 Ovalbumin (hen egg white) 45,000 Bovine serum albumin 66,200

[0139]  which factor the human equivalent of which is encoded by DNA clone GGF2HBS5 described herein and is capable of affecting cellular communication.

[0140] For convenience of description only, the lower molecular weight and higher molecular weight factors of this invention are referred to hereafter as “GGF-I” and “GGF-II”, respectively. The “GGF2” designation is used for all clones isolated with peptide sequence data derived from GGF-II protein (i.e., GGF2HBS5, GGF2BPP3).

[0141] It will be appreciated that the molecular weight range limits quoted are not exact, but are subject to slight variations depending upon the source of the particular polypeptide factor. A variation of, say, about 10% would not, for example, be impossible for material from another source.

[0142] Another important aspect of the invention is a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of affecting cellular communication and comprising:

[0143] (a) a DNA sequence shown FIG. 11;

[0144] (b) a DNA sequence shown in FIG. 27;

[0145] (c) the DNA sequence represented by nucleotides 281-557 of the sequence shown in FIG. 11; or

[0146] (d) a DNA sequence hybridizable to any one of the DNA sequences according to (a), (b) or (c).

[0147] Thus other important aspects of the invention are:

[0148] (a) A series of human and bovine polypeptide factors capable of affecting cellular communication. These peptide sequences are shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 respectively.

[0149] (b) A series of polypeptide factors capable of affecting cellular communication and purified and characterized according to the procedures outlined by Lupu et al., Science (1990) 249:1552; Lupu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA (1992) 89: 2287; Holmes et al., Science (1992) 256:1205; Peles et al., Cell (1992) 69:205; Yarden and Peles, Biochemistry (1991) 30:3543; Dobashi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (1991) 88: 8582; Davis et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1991) 179:1536; Beaumont et al., Patent Application PCT/US91/03443 (1990); Greene et al., Patent Application PCT/US91/02331 (1990); Usdin and Fischbach, J. Cell. Biol. (1986) 103:493-507; Falls et al., Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. (1990) 55:397-406; Harris et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1991) 88:7664-7668; and Falls et al., Cell (1993) 72:801-815.

[0150] (c) A polypeptide factor (GGFBPP5) is capable of affecting cellular communication. The amino acid sequence is shown in FIG. 14, and is encoded by the bovine DNA sequence shown in FIG. 14.

[0151] The novel human peptide sequences described above and presented FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16, respectively, represent a series of splicing variants which can be isolated as full length complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from natural sources (cDNA libraries prepared from the appropriate tissues) or can be assembled as DNA constructs with individual exons (e.g., derived as separate exons) by someone skilled in the art.

[0152] Other compounds in particular, peptides, which bind specifically to the p185^(erbB2) receptor and related receptors can also be used according to the invention as affections of cellular communication. A candidate compound can be routinely screened for p185^(erbB2) binding, and, if it binds, can then be screened for affecting cellular communication using the methods described herein.

[0153] The invention includes any modifications or equivalents of the above polypeptide factors which do not exhibit a significantly reduced activity. For example, modifications in which amino acid content or sequence is altered without substantially adversely affecting activity are included. By way of illustration, in EP-A 109748 mutations of native proteins are disclosed in which the possibility of unwanted disulfide bonding is avoided by replacing any cysteine in the native sequence which is not necessary for biological activity with a neutral amino acid. The statements of effect and use contained herein are therefore to be construed accordingly, with such uses and effects employing modified or equivalent factors being part of the invention.

[0154] The new sequences of the invention open up the benefits of recombinant technology. The invention thus also includes the following aspects:

[0155] (a) DNA constructs comprising DNA sequences as defined above in operable reading frame position within vectors (positioned relative to control sequences so as to permit expression of the sequences) in chosen host cells after transformation thereof by the constructs (preferably the control sequence includes regulatable promoters, e.g. Trp). It will be appreciated that the selection of a promoter and regulatory sequences (if any) are matters of choice for those of skill in the art:

[0156] (b) host cells modified by incorporating constructs as defined in (a) immediately above so that said DNA sequences may be expressed in said host cells—the choice of host is not critical, and chosen cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic and may be genetically modified to incorporate said constructs by methods known in the art; and,

[0157] (c) a process for the preparation of factors as defined above comprising cultivating the modified host cells under conditions permitting expression of the DNA sequences. These conditions can be readily determined, for any particular embodiment, by those of skill in the art of recombinant DNA technology. Glial cell mitogens prepared by this means are included in the present invention.

[0158] None of the factors described in the art has the combination of characteristics possessed by the present new polypeptide factors.

[0159] The invention also includes a neuregulin as defined above, by extracting vertebrate brain material to obtain protein, subjecting the resulting extract to chromatographic purification by hydroxyapatite HPLC and then subjecting these fractions to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fraction which as an observed molecular weight of about 30 kD to 36 kD and/or the fraction which has an observed molecular weight of about 55 kD to 63 kD is collected. In either case, the fraction is subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the following molecular weight standards: Lysozyme (hen egg white) 14,400 Soybean trypsin inhibitor 21,500 Carbonic anhydrase (bovine) 31,000 Ovalbumin (hen egg white) 45,000 Bovine serum albumin 66,200 Phosphorylase B (rabbit muscle) 97,400

[0160] In the case of the smaller molecular weight fraction, the SDS-polyacrylamide gel is run in non-reducing conditions in reducing conditions or, and in the case of the larger molecular weight fraction the gel is run under non-reducing conditions. The fractions are then tested for activity stimulating the division of rat Schwann cells against a background of fetal calf plasma.

[0161] Preferably, the above process starts by isolating a relevant fraction obtained by carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography, e.g. from bovine pituitary material. It is also preferred that hydroxyapatite HPLC, cation exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and/or reversed-phase HPLC be employed prior to the SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. At each stage in the process, activity may be determined using Schwann cell incorporation of radioactive iododeoxyuridine as a measure in an assay generally as described by Brockes in Meth. Enz. (1987) 147:217-225, but modified by substituting 10% FCP for 10% FCS. As already noted, such as assay is an aspect of the invention in its own substance for CNS or PNS cell, e.g. Schwann cell, mitogenic effects.

[0162] Compounds may be assayed for their usefulness in vitro using the methods provided in the description and examples below. Following the in vitro demonstration of the effect of neuregulins on cellular communication between various cell types, the in vivo therapeutic benefit of the effect can be accomplished by the administration of neuregulins, neuregulin producing cells or DNA encoding neuregulins to a vertebrate requiring therapy. In a specific example, in vivo testing can be demonstrated as described in Example 3.

[0163] The invention includes the use of the above named family of proteins (i.e. neuregulins) as extracted from natural sources (tissues or cell lines) or as prepared by recombinant means.

[0164] Other compounds in particular, peptides, which bind specifically to the p185^(erbB2) and related receptor binding proteins (i.e., p185^(erbB3) and p185^(erbB4)) can also be used according to the invention as affectors of cellular communication. A candidate compound can be routinely screened for p185^(erbB2), p185^(erbB3) and p185^(erbB4) binding, and if it binds, can then be screened for affecting cellular communication using the methods described herein.

[0165] The invention includes use of any modifications or equivalents of the above polypeptide factors which do not exhibit a significantly reduced activity related to affecting cellular communication. For example, modifications in which amino acid content or sequence is altered without substantially adversely affecting activity are included. The statements of effect and use contained herein are therefore to be construed accordingly, with such uses and effects employing modified or equivalent factors being part of the invention.

[0166] The human peptide sequences described above represent a series of splicing variants which can be isolated as full length complementary DNAs (cDNAS) from natural sources (cDNA libraries prepared from the appropriate tissues) or can be assembled as DNA constructs with individual exons (e.g., derived as separate exons) by someone skilled in the art.

[0167] The invention includes methods for the use of any protein which is substantially homologous to the coding segments in FIG. 13, as well as other naturally occurring GGF polypeptides for the purpose of inducing muscle mitogenesis. Also included are the use of: allelic variations; natural mutants; induced mutants; proteins encoded by DNA that hybridizes under high or low stringency conditions to a nucleic acid naturally occurring (for definitions of high and low stringency see Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, (1989) John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 6.3.1-6.3.6, hereby incorporated by reference); and the use of polypeptides or proteins specifically bound by antisera to GGF polypeptides. The term also includes the use of chimeric polypeptides that include the GGF polypeptides comprising sequences from FIG. 13.

[0168] Use of Neuregulins

[0169] A novel aspect of the invention involves the use of neuregulins as factors to promote cell communication by inducing the production of products. These Products affect the function of these cells. Treatment of the cells to achieve these effects may be achieved by contacting cells with a polypeptide described herein.

[0170] The methods of the invention may also be used to treat a patient suffering from a disease caused by a lack of trophic factor(s). The lack of trophic factor(s) is defined by a decreased amount of trophic factor(s) relative to that of an unaffected individual sufficient to cause detectable alteration in the biological effect of those trophic factor(s). The neurotrophic factor(s) may be present at levels 10% below those observed in unaffected individuals. More preferably, the factor(s) are present at levels 20% lower than that observed in unaffected individuals, and most preferably the levels are lowered by 80% relative to unaffected individuals under similar circumstances.

[0171] The methods of the invention make use of the fact that the neuregulin proteins are encoded by the same gene. A variety of messenger RNA splicing variants (and their resultant proteins) are derived from this gene and many of these products show binding to p185^(erbB2) and related receptors and activation of the same. This invention provides a use for all of the known products of the neuregulin gene (described herein and in the references listed above). Most preferably, recombinant human GGF2 (rhGGF2) is used in these methods.

[0172] The invention also relates to the use of other, not yet naturally isolated, splicing variants of the neuregulin gene. FIG. 12 shows the known patterns of splicing. These patterns are derived from polymerase chain reaction experiments (on reverse transcribed RNA), analysis of cDNA clones (as presented within), and analysis of published sequences encoding neuregulins (Peles et al., Cell (1992) 69:205 and Wen et al., Cell (1992) 69:559). These patterns, as well as additional patterns disclosed herein, represent probable splicing variants which exist. The splicing variants are fully described in Goodearl et al., U.S. Ser. No. 08/036,555, filed Mar. 24, 1993, incorporated herein by reference.

[0173] More specifically, effects on cell communication may be achieved by contacting cells with a polypeptide defined by the formula

WYBAZCX

[0174] wherein WYBAZCX is composed of the polypeptide segments shown in FIG. 13; wherein W comprises the polypeptide segment F, or is absent wherein Y comprises the polypeptide segment E, or is absent; wherein Z comprises the polypeptide segment G or is absent; and wherein X comprises the polypeptide segment C/D HKL, C/D H, C/D HL, C/D D, C/D′ HL, C/D′ HKL, C/D′ H, C/D′ D, C/D C/D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ H, C/D C/D′ HL, C/D C/D′ D, C/D D′ H, C/D D′ HL, C/D D′ HKL, C/D′ D′ H, C/D′ D′ HL, C/D′ D′ HKL, C/D C/D′ D′ H, C/D C/D′ D′ HL, or C/D C/D′ D′ HKL.

[0175] Furthermore, the invention includes a method of treating muscle cells by the application to the muscle cell of a

[0176] −30 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the MDA-MB 231 human breast cell line; or

[0177] −35 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the rat I-EJ transformed fibroblast cell line to the glial cell; or

[0178] −75 kD polypeptide factor isolated from SKBR-3 human breast cell line; or

[0179] −44 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the rat I-EJ transformed fibroblast cell line; or

[0180] −25 kD polypeptide factor isolated from activated mouse peritoneal macrophages; or

[0181] −45 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the MDA-MB 231 human breast cell; or

[0182] −7 to 14 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the ATL-2 human T-cell line to the glial cell; or

[0183] −25 kD polypeptide factor isolated from the bovine kidney cells; or

[0184] −42 kD ARIA polypeptide factor isolated from brain; or

[0185] −46-47 kD polypeptide factor which stimulates 0-2A glial progenitor cells; or

[0186] −43-45 kD polypeptide factor, GGFIII, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/931,041, filed Aug. 17, 1992, incorporated herein by reference.

[0187] The invention includes use of any modifications or equivalents of the above polypeptide factors which do not exhibit a significantly reduced activity. For example, modifications in which amino acid content or sequence is altered without substantially adversely affecting activity are included. The statements of effect and use contained herein are therefore to be construed accordingly, with such uses and effects employing modified or equivalent factors being part of the invention.

[0188] The human peptide sequences described above and presented in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16, respectively, represent a series of splicing variants which can be isolated as full-length complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from natural sources (cDNA libraries prepared from the appropriate tissues) or can be assembled as DNA constructs with individual exons (e.g., derived as separate exons) by someone skilled in the art.

[0189] Another aspect of the invention is the use of a pharmaceutical or veterinary formulation comprising any factor as defined above formulated for pharmaceutical or veterinary use, respectively, optionally together with an acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient and/or in unit dosage form. In using the factors of the invention, conventional pharmaceutical or veterinary practice may be employed to provide suitable formulations or compositions.

[0190] A medicament is made by administering the polypeptide with a pharmaceutically effective carrier.

[0191] Thus, the formulations to be used as a part of the invention can be applied to parenteral administration, for example, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraorbital, ophthalmic, intraventricular, intracranial, intracapsular, intraspinal, intracisternal, intraperitoneal, topical, intranasal, aerosol, scarification, transdermal and by other slow release devices (i.e., osmotic pump-driven devices; see also U.S. Ser. No. 08/293,465, hereby incorporated by reference) and also oral, buccal, rectal or vaginal administration.

[0192] The formulations of this invention may also be administered by the transplantation into the patient of host cells expressing the DNA encoding polypeptides which are effective for the methods of the invention or by the use of surgical implants which release the formulations of the invention.

[0193] Parenteral formulations may be in the form of liquid solutions or suspensions; for oral administration, formulations maybe in the form of tablets or capsules; and for intranasal formulations, in the form of powders, nasal drops, or aerosols.

[0194] Methods well-known in the art for making formulations are to be found in, for example, “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.” Formulations for parenteral administration may, for example, contain as excipients sterile water or saline, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable origin, or hydrogenated naphthalenes, biocompatible, biodegradable lactide polymer, or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers may be used to control the release of the present factors. Other potentially useful parenteral delivery systems for the factors include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer particles, osmotic pumps, implantable infusion systems, and liposomes. Formulations for inhalation may contain as excipients, for example, lactose, or may be aqueous solutions containing, for example, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, glycocholate and deoxycholate, or may be oily solutions for administration in the form of nasal drops, or as a gel to be applied intranasally. Formulations for parenteral administration may also include glycocholate for buccal administration, methoxysalicylate for rectal administration, or citric acid for vaginal administration.

[0195] The present factors can be used as the sole active agents, or can be used in combination with other active ingredients, e.g., other growth factors which could facilitate neuronal survival in neurological diseases, or peptidase or protease inhibitors.

[0196] The concentration of the present factors in the formulations of the invention will vary depending upon a number of issues, including the dosage to be administered, and the route of administration.

[0197] In general terms, the factors of this invention may be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing about 0.1 to 10% w/v compound for parenteral administration. General dose ranges are from about 1 μg/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day; a preferred dose range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. The preferred dosage to be administered is likely to depend upon the type and extent of progression of the pathophysiological condition being addressed, the overall health of the patient, the make up of the formulation, and the route of administration.

[0198] A further general aspect of the invention is the use of a factor of the invention in the manufacture of a medicament, preferably for the treatment of a disease or disorder. The “GGF2” designation is used for all clones which were previously isolated with peptide sequence data derived from GGF-II protein (i.e., GGF2HBS5, GGF2BPP3) and, when present alone (i.e., GGF2 OR rhGGF2), to indicate recombinant human protein encoded by plasmids isolated with peptide sequence data derived from the GGF-II protein (i.e., as produced in sect cells from the plasmid HBS5). Recombinant human GGF from the GGFHBS5 clone is called GGF2, rhGGF2 and GGF2HBS5 polypeptide.

[0199] Methods for treatment of diseases or disorders using neuregulins in this manner are also part of the invention. Administration of neuregulins to induce the production of a substance or substances from a neuregulin responsive cell can be used in any disorder where an increase in a neuregulin inducible substance that is trophic for the disease affected neurons would be of benefit. In peripheral nerve injury or peripheral nerve disorders such as the neuropathies administration of neuregulins will elicit the production of neurotrophic substances from known neuregulin target tissues such as Schwann cells and muscle. These induced substances can enhance axonal repair. Alzheimer's disease is another target for neuregulin therapy. In the brain, neuregulins are detectable in cholinergic motor neurons (Chen, et al., J. Comparative Neurology (1994) 349:389-400), these neurons degenerate in Alzheimer's disease and many show trophic responses to neurotrophic factors such as NGF. Neuregulins can be used to induce the synthesis of neurotrophic factors in those neurons that interact with cholinergic neurons. Similar therapeutic approaches may be used in other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy or any disease where stimulation of the synthesis of substances that are trophic for disease affected neurons might be of benefit.

[0200] Methods for treatment of diseases or disorders using nucleic acid constructs encoding neuregulins or neuregulin producer cells are also part of the invention.

[0201] Delivery of DNA to a cell or tissue that will take up the DNA, express the DNA and produce neuregulin as shown by Wolff et al., (Science (1990) 247:1465) and Ascadi et al., (Nature (1991) 352:815) is an aspect of the invention. The neuregulin produced by this method will act on the first cell type and elicit the responses described above. Genetic modification of cultured cells (or their precursors) such as fibroblasts (as shown by Wolff et al. Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA (1988) 86:1575 ) or such as those derived from the nervous system (as shown by Weiss et al. International Patent Application number PCT/US94/01053; publication number WO 94/16718) to induce the production of neuregulin from the cultured cells is another aspect of this invention. The genetically modified neuregulin producer cells can be transplanted to a position near the first cell type and elicit the responses described above.

[0202] Assays for Determining Neuregulin Effect(s) on Cellular Communication

[0203] Described below are generic methods for detecting the ability of a neuregulin to induce in a first cell type, the production of a product (Product A) that is trophic for a second cell type. A general reference on cell and tissue culture is Cell and Tissue Culture: Laboratory Procedures (Ed. by A. Doyle, J. B. Griffiths, and D. G. Newell, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1994). General references on the culture of neural cells and tissues are Methods in Neurosciences, Vol. 2 (Ed. by P. M. Conn. Academic Press, Sand Diego, Calif., 1990) and Culturing Nerve Cells (Ed. by G. Banker and K. Goslin, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. 1991). General references of immunocytochemistry are Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (E. Harlow and D. Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988), and Immunocytochemistry II (Ed. by A. C. Cuello, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1993).

[0204] The vertebrate cells used in this invention may be cultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media such as Ham's F10(Sigma), Minimal Essential Medium ([MEM], Sigma), RPMI-1640 (Sigma), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium ([DMEM], Sigma) are suitable for culturing the host cells. In addition, any of the media described in Ham and Wallace, Meth. Enz. (1979) 58:44; Barnes and Sato, Anal. Biochem. (1980) 102:255; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,704; 4,657,866; 4,927,762; or 4,560,655; WO 90/03430; WO 87/00195 and U.S. Pat. Re. 30,985, may be used as culture media for the host cells. Any of these media may be supplemented as necessary with hormones and/or other growth factors (such as insulin, transferrin, or epidermal growth factor), salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate), buffers (such as HEPES), nucleosides (such as adenosine and thymidine), antibiotics (such as Gentamycin™ drug), trace elements (defined as inorganic compounds usually present at final concentrations in the micromolar range), and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Any other necessary supplements may also be included at appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in the art. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

[0205] Method I

[0206] The use of separate cultures of a first cell type and a second cell type, to demonstrate that neuregulin induces the first cell type to produce a secreted substance that is trophic for the second cell type.

[0207] 1. Establish cultures of cells from the tissue of interest (e.g. spinal cord, pancreas, gut, etc.). These cultures are enriched for the first cell type such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for neurons (A. Banerjee, M. C. Roach, P. Trcka, and R. F. Luduena Increased microtubule assembly in bovine brain tubulin lacking the type III isotype of b tubulin. J. Biol. Chem. (1990) 265:1794-1799), Islet-1 for pancreatic islet cells (O. Karlsson, S. Thor, T. Norbert, H. Ohlsson, and T. Edlund Insulin gene enhanced binding protein Isl-1 is a member of a novel class of proteins containing both a homeo and a Cys-His domain. Nature (1990) 344:879-882)).

[0208] 2. Establish cultures of cells from the same tissue of interest as in step 1. These cultures are enriched for the second cell type such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers.

[0209] 3. Expose the first cell type cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 minute and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, collect the conditioned culture medium, remove debris by centrifugation (200 g, 10 minutes) and filtration (nylon filter, 0.22 mm pore size). This medium (conditioned medium) will contain the secreted product(s) of the first cell type, Product A.

[0210] 4. Replace or supplement the medium of the second cell type cultures with media prepared as in step 3. Include among these medium samples, medium that has been conditioned by the first cell type cultures in the absence of neuregulin (control conditioned medium). Include among the medium samples, media containing neuregulin that have not been conditioned by the first cell type cultures (non-conditioned medium).

[0211] 5. Maintain the second cell type cultures as described in step 4 for varying periods of time preferably greater than 1 day and less than 7 days. Assess various aspects of cellular phenotype such as, but not limited to, cell survival, morphology, production of enzymes and secreted products, etc.

[0212] 6. Assess the effects of the neuregulin. The neuregulin is trophic for the first cell type in a manner that promotes the production of products trophic for the second cell type if:

[0213] a. Medium conditioned by the first cell type cultures in the presence of neuregulin maintains or increases desired aspects of cellular phenotype such as, but not limited to cell survival, morphology, production of enzymes and secreted products, etc.;

[0214] b. equal volumes of control conditioned medium lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.); and

[0215] c. equal volumes of non-conditioned medium lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.).

[0216] The induction by neuregulin of a secreted product, Product A, such that Product A affects a third cell type, can also be tested as in Method I. Establish cultures of cells from the same tissue of interest as in step 1. These cultures are enriched for the third cell type, such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers. Substitute the third cell type cultures for the second cell type cultures in steps 4-6.

[0217] If Product A is not secreted, but is bound to the surface of the first cell type, or is bound to insoluble extracellular matrix associated with the first cell type, an alternative procedure is to be used:

[0218] Method II

[0219] The use of separate cultures of the first and second cell types, to demonstrate that neuregulin induces the first cell type to produce a substance on its surface that is trophic for the second cell type.

[0220] 1. Establish cultures of cells from the tissue of interest (e.g. spinal cord, pancreas, gut, etc.). These cultures are enriched for the first cell type such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for neurons, Islet-1 for pancreatic islet cells).

[0221] 2. Expose the first cell type cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 hour and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, remove the culture medium and establish a co-culture of the first and second cell types as follows. Rinse the first cell type cultures 3 times with fresh culture medium lacking neuregulin so as to rinse away residual neuregulin. Add back a suspension of the second cell type, from the same tissue of interest as in step 1 in fresh medium lacking neuregulin. The suspension is enriched for the second cell type, such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers.

[0222] 3. In parallel to step 2, plate the same suspension of cells of the second cell type on the first cell type cultures that have not been treated with neuregulin (control co-cultures).

[0223] 4. Maintain the first cell type/second cell type co-cultures for varying periods of time preferably greater than 1 day and less than 7 days. Assess various aspects of cellular phenotype of the second cell type such as, but not limited to, cell survival, morphology, production of enzymes and secreted products, etc.

[0224] 5. Assess the effects of neuregulin. Neuregulin is trophic for the first cell type in a manner that promotes the production of products trophic for the second cell type if:

[0225] a. The first cell type cultures pre-treated with neuregulin maintain or increase desired aspects of cellular phenotype of the second cell type such as, but not limited to cell survival, morphology, production of enzymes and secreted products, etc.; and

[0226] b. The first cell type cultures that have not been pre-treated with Product A lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.).

[0227] The induction by neuregulin of a cell surface-bound or extracellular matrix-bound product, Product A, such that Product A affects a third cell type, can also be tested as in Method II. In steps 2-4, use a suspension of the third cell type rather than the second cell type such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the third cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers.

[0228] Described below are methods for detecting the activities of a neuregulin that induces neuronally-associated tissues to produce a neurotrophic product or product(s) (Product A):

[0229] Method III

[0230] The use of separate cultures of neurons and neuronally associated tissues, to demonstrate that neuregulin induces a neuronally associated tissue (the first cell type) to produce a secreted product that is trophic for neurons (the second cell type).

[0231] 1. Establish neuron-free cultures of neuronally-associated cell types (e.g. glia, fibroblasts). These cultures are enriched for a single cell type (the first cell type) such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. S-100 for peripheral glia (K. R. Jessen and R. Mirsky Schwann cell: early lineage, regulation of proliferation and control of myelin formation. Curr. Op. Neurobiol. (1992) 2:575-581), fibronectin for fibroblasts (K. M. Yamada Cell surface interactions with extracellular materials. Ann. Rev. Biochem. (1983) 52:761-799)).

[0232] 2. Establish cultures of neurons from the neuronal tissue of interest (e.g. superior cervical ganglion, spinal motor column). These cultures are enriched for neurons (the second cell type) such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for all neurons, choline acetyltransferase for cholinergic neurons (J. C. Martinou, A. L. V. Thai, G. Cassar, F. Roubinet, and M. J. Weber Characterization of two factors enhancing choline acetyltransferase in cultures of purified rat motoneurons. J. Neurosci. (1989) 9:3645-3656)).

[0233] 3. Expose the first cell type cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 hour and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, collect the conditioned culture medium, remove debris by centrifugation (200 g, 10 minutes) and filtration (nylon filter, 0.22 mm pore size).

[0234] 4. Replace or supplement the medium of the second cell type cultures with media prepared as in step 3. Include among these medium samples, medium that has been conditioned by the first cell type cultures in the absence of neuregulin (control conditioned medium). Include among the medium samples, media containing neuregulin that have not been conditioned by the first cell type cultures (non-conditioned medium).

[0235] 5. Maintain the second cell type cultures as described in step 4 for varying periods of time preferably greater than 1 day and less than 7 days. Assess various aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to cell survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter phenotype, etc.

[0236] 6. Assess the effects of neuregulin. Neuregulin is trophic for neuronally-associated tissues in a manner that promotes the production of neurotrophic products if:

[0237] a. Medium conditioned by the first cell type cultures in the presence of neuregulin maintains or increases desired aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to cell survival, increased neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter synthesis, etc.;

[0238] b. equal volumes of control conditioned medium lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.); and

[0239] c. equal volumes of non-conditioned medium lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.).

[0240] If Product A is not secreted, but is bound to the surface of the first cell type, or is bound to insoluble extracellular matrix associated with the first cell type, an alternative procedure is to be used:

[0241] Method IV

[0242] The use of separate cultures of neurons and neuronally associated tissues, to demonstrate that neuregulin induces a neuronally associated tissue (the first cell type) to produce a substance on its surface that is trophic for neurons.

[0243] 1. Establish neuron-free cultures of neuronally-associated cell types (e.g. glia, fibroblasts). These cultures are enriched for a single cell type (the first cell type) such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. S100 for peripheral glia, fibronectin for fibroblasts).

[0244] 2. Expose the first cell type cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 hour and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, remove the culture medium and establish a co-culture of the first cell type and neurons (the second cell type) as follows. Rinse the first cell type cultures 3 times with fresh culture medium lacking neuregulin so as to rinse away residual neuregulin. Add back a suspension of neurons from the neuronal tissue of interest (e.g. superior cervical ganglion, spinal motor column) in fresh medium lacking neuregulin. The suspension is enriched for the second cell type such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for all neurons, choline acetyltransferase for cholinergic neurons).

[0245] 3. In parallel to step 2, plate the same suspension of the second cell type cells on the first cell type cultures that have not been treated with Product A (control co-cultures).

[0246] 4. Maintain the first cell type/second cell type co-cultures for varying periods of time preferably greater than 1 day and less than 7 days. Assess various aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to cell survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter phenotype, etc.

[0247] 5. Assess the effects of neuregulin. Neuregulin is trophic for the first cell type in a manner that promotes the production of products trophic for the second cell type if:

[0248] a. The first cell type cultures pretreated with neuregulin maintain or increase desired aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to cell survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter phenotype, etc.; and

[0249] b. The first cell type cultures that have not been pretreated with Product A lack the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrate lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.).

[0250] If cultures of non-neuronal cells of interest greater than 90% pure have not been established, the following method can be used:

[0251] Method V

[0252] The use of a mixed culture, to demonstrate that neuregulins induce the first cell type (neuronally associated cell types) to produce a product (Product A) that affects the second cell type.

[0253] 1. Establish undissociated, explant cultures of the neuronal tissue of interest (e.g. superior cervical ganglion, spinal motor column). These cultures are not enriched for various cell types and are constituted of both neurons (the second cell type) and neuronally-associated cell types (the first cell type) as demonstrated through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for all neurons, acetylcholinesterase for cholinergic neurons, S100 for peripheral glia, fibronectin for fibroblasts).

[0254] 2. Expose explant cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 hour and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, assess various aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to neuron survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter phenotype, etc.

[0255] 3. Establish cultures of neurons from the neuronal tissue of interest (e.g. superior cervical ganglion, spinal motor column). These cultures are enriched for neurons (the second cell type) such that preferably greater than 90% of the cells can be demonstrated to be the same cell type through the use of immunocytochemical and/or enzymatic markers (e.g. tubulin b3 for all neurons, choline acetyltransferase for cholinergic neurons).

[0256] 4. Expose the second cell type cultures to varying doses of neuregulin for varying periods of time, preferably greater than 1 hour and less than 7 days. At the end of the culture period, assess various aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to neuron survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter phenotype, etc.

[0257] 5. Assess the effects of neuregulin. Neuregulin is trophic for neuronally-associated tissues in a manner that promotes the production of neurotrophic products if:

[0258] a. in explant cultures the presence of neuregulin maintains or increases desired aspects of neuronal phenotype such as, but not limited to neuron survival, neurite (axon or dendrite) outgrowth, neurotransmitter synthesis, etc.; and

[0259] b. in the second cell type cultures, neuregulin lacks the activity described in criterion (a.), or demonstrates lesser degrees of the activity described in criterion (a.)

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0260] The Effect of Recombinant Human Glial Growth Factor 2 on Sympathetic Ganglion Outgrowth in an In Vitro Model of Peripheral Nerve Gap Entubulation

[0261] Purpose

[0262] One approach to the repair of injuries in which a peripheral nerve has been severed is to suture the nerve endings together via a biocompatible tube, a procedure referred to as entubulation. The tube may be filled with various agents thought to improve the growth and regeneration of the nerve. Peripheral nerves contain a variety of cell types: neurons (or more appropriately, the axons emanating from neuron cell bodies located in the spinal cord and associated ganglia), Schwann cells (peripheral glia), fibroblasts, and resident macrophages. Axons regenerate from the side of the nerve gap proximal to the spinal cord and associated ganglia; other cell types contribute to regeneration by migrating in from both sides of the gap and proliferating.

[0263] In an effort to devise an in vitro model of entubulation, a technique was developed in which fragments of the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) are cultured in segments of surgical tubing used in whole animal models of peripheral nerve entubulation. SCG neurons are homogenous in their trophic requirements and project axons exclusively through peripheral nerves; SCG fragments also contain Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. In this model the SCG fragments serve as surrogate proximal nerve endings, and the outgrowth of axons and supporting cell types can be observed in a simplified environment. The focus of this example was to examine the effects of rhGGF2 on Schwann cell and axon behavior in this in vitro model of peripheral nerve entubulation.

[0264] Methods and Materials

[0265] Tube Preparation

[0266] Tubing used for this study was polyethylene tubing with an internal diameter of 1.19 mm and outer diameter of 1.70 mm (Intramedic®; Becton Dickinson and Company; Parsippany, N.J.). A length of tubing somewhat longer than actually needed was cut in a sterile tissue culture hood, immersed in 70% ethanol, and flushed repeatedly with 70% ethanol using a syringe with a 19-gauge needle. After soaking the tubing for approximately 30 minutes, it was flushed again with air, and allowed to dry in the hood. After drying, the tubing was cut into 10 mm segments with a sterile scalpel, and stored in a sterile Petri dish.

[0267] Culture Medium

[0268] Culture medium was made freshly on the day of culture assembly. All components were kept cold (either 4° C. or on ice), as was the final solution until culture assembly was completed. Sterile Water 2.60 Sodium bicarbonate (2% w/v) 1.50 Penicillin/Streptomycin stock* 0.15 L-Glutamine (200 mM) 0.15 Fetal Bovine Serum** 0.75 Sodium hydroxide (0.1 M) 0.90 10x Medium*** 1.50 Collagen solution**** 7.40 TOTAL 15.00 ml

[0269] Medium was used as is, or was supplemented with rhGGF2 as indicated.

[0270] Tube Culture Assembly

[0271] A schematic diagram of culture assembly is shown in FIG. 1. SCGs were dissected from postnatal day 0-2 rats on the day of assembly, cleaned of connective tissues and proximal nerve stumps, bisected, and stored in physiological saline at 4° till needed. Since the collagen-containing medium gels at room temperature or higher, it is necessary to assemble the cultures in 4° cold room. Working with watchman's forceps under a dissection microscope at total magnification of 8×, individual segments of cleaned tubing were picked up and filled with culture medium using a syringe with a 27-gauge needle. A single piece of bisected SCG was then placed at the very end of each tube, and each tube placed in an individual well of a 24-well tissue culture plate. Only the central eight wells of a 24-well plate were used for tube placement, and the remaining wells were filled with sterile water to maintain plate humidity. The plate was then placed in a 37°, 10% carbon dioxide incubator. After allowing the cultures to gel and equilibrate with the incubator atmosphere, the plates were sealed with paraffin film to further protect the culture assemblies from dehydration, and returned to the incubator until preparation for immunocytochemistry and analysis.

[0272] Immunocytochemistry

[0273] After 2, 5, and 10 days in vitro, the contents of individual tube cultures were extruded into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) using a PBS-filled syringe with a blunt-ended 18-gauge needle. The collagen gels retained structural integrity and were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS for 30 minutes at room temperature. After 3 washes with PBS, the cultures were blocked in 1% goat serum/0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 30 minutes. After blocking, the solution was changed to 1% goat serum in PBS (GPBS) containing 1:4 rabbit anti-S-100 (a Schwann cell marker; Incstar; Stillwater, Minn.) and 1:400 mouse anti-tubulin b3 (an axon marker; Sigma; St. Louis, Mo.). After incubating the samples in primary antibody for 1 hour at room temperature, they were washed 3 times with PBS, and incubated for an additional hour in GPBS containing 1:200 peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin, and 1:200 alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (Pierce Chemical; Rockford, Ill.). The samples were then washed 3 times with PBS, and the stains developed. The S-100 was first developed using stable premixed NBT/BCIP (Gibco/BRL) to yield a blue stain, and after rinsing with PBS, the tubulin b3 was developed using 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC; Sigma) per manufacturer's directions. After final rinsing with PBS, the samples were mounted on microscope slides using aqueous mounting medium. After the mounting medium dried, the cellular outgrowth could be analyzed.

[0274] Scoring and Analysis

[0275] As schematized in FIG. 2, a grid reticule was placed in the microscope ocular, and at a total magnification of 160×, the total number of S-100⁺ Schwann cells in each column (referred to as “bins”) was counted. Each bin has width of 50 mm as determined using a stage micrometer. And as noted, the number tubulin-b3⁺ neurites intersecting every vertical line was also counted. The actual grid was not large enough to cover the entire length of cellular outgrowth and was shifted along as needed by translational movement of the microscope stage. All data points represent the average±the standard error of the mean (n=6 to 7 for every data point).

[0276] Results

[0277] First shown is the analysis of Schwann cell number as a function of distance from the SCG explant (FIGS. 3A-D). It is clear that the presence of rhGGF2 affects the behavior of Schwann cells relative to the control condition. There does not appear to be any difference among the 3 doses of rhGGF2. Generally, by 5 days in rhGGF2, there is a large increase in the number of Schwann cells proximal to the explant, but the Schwann cells appear to have moved only about as far as they have in the control case (somewhat further at the highest dose). By 10 days in rhGGF2 the overall number of Schwann cells has decreased, but the cells still present have definitely migrated farther than in the absence of rhGGF2. In the absence of rhGGF2, the controls look no different between days 5 and 10. The total number of Schwann cells in the various conditions is shown in FIG. 4. Again, there is a decrease in cell number at day 10, but there is no obvious difference between the different doses of rhGGF2. The day 10 tubes contain more debris, and this is probably due to cell death. This is due to the culture situation since 10 days appears to be the longest that one can maintain these tube cultures without overt signs of dehydration and nutrient depletion in the limited volume of culture medium (approximately 10 μl per tube).

[0278] A difference is apparent when neurites are scored in the various doses of rhGGF2 (FIG. 5). At doses of rhGGF2 greater than or equal to 50 ng/ml, a profound increase takes place in the number of neurites and the extent to which they have grown away from the explant.

[0279] Discussion and Conclusions

[0280] This study demonstrates that the dose range in which there are observable effects on Schwann cell proliferation and emigration from the explant is different from that which causes a major increase in neurite outgrowth. In the case of the former, it appears that the effect has plateaued at the lowest dose tested, 5 ng/ml. As for the requirement of ≧50 ng/ml rhGGF2 to boost neurite regeneration, there are two possible mechanisms to account for this. One is that rhGGF2 is acting directly upon the neurons, and the other is that rhGGF2 induces a non-neuronal cell type to produce a neurite promoting factor (e.g. NGF, secreted extracellular matrix proteins, proteases, and/or protease inhibitors). As is demonstrated in Example 2, the first hypothesis is not likely since rhGGF2 has no effect upon neuronal survival or outgrowth in low density cultures of dissociated SCG neurons. This lack of a direct effect on neurons implies that the rhGGF2 promotion of neurite outgrowth is due to rhGGF2 induced production of neurite promoting factors by non-neuronal cells.

Example 2

[0281] The Promotion of Axon Outgrowth by Recombinant Human Glial Growth Factor 2 is Not Due to a Direct Effect on Neurons

[0282] Purpose

[0283] As demonstrated in Example 1, rhGGF2 not only promotes Schwann cell proliferation and migration in an in vitro model of peripheral nerve entubulation, but also promotes robust axonal outgrowth. To test whether this may be due to direct effects of rhGGF2 on SCG neurons, low density cultures of dissociated SCG neurons were established in which the effects of rhGGF2 could be examined. SCG neurons are normally dependent upon nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival, so rhGGF2 was tested for direct neuronal effects in the simultaneous presence of a wide range of NGF concentrations.

[0284] Methods and Materials

[0285] Cell Culture

[0286] SCGs were dissected from postnatal day 0-2 rats, cleaned of connective tissue and proximal nerve stumps, and dissociated by enzymatic digestion and trituration. Enzymatic digestion was performed using 1 mg/ml trypsin (Sigma; St. Louis, Mo.) and 1 mg/ml collagenase (Boehringer-Mannheim; Indianapolis, Ind.) in calcium- and magnesium-free Hanks's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS; Gibco/BRL; Grand Island, N.Y.), for 1 hour at 37° C. Trituration was performed using a flame-polished Pasteur pipet. Dissociated neurons were taken up in plating medium and pre-plated in tissue culture dishes for 1 hour to remove the majority of the rapidly adherent, non-neuronal cells. Plating medium consisted of low glucose DMEM (Gibco/BRL) supplemented with glutamine, penicillin/streptomycin, and fetal bovine serum to the same concentrations as described in Example 1. Non-adherent cells (primarily neurons), were pelleted by centrifugation and resuspended in plating medium. These cells were finally plated at a density of 5000 cells per well in collagen-coated, 24-well plates such that the cells were exposed to a 2-dimensional dose-response matrix of NGF and rhGGF2 (FIG. 6A). Plates were set up in duplicate on 2 different dates; at the completion of both experiments N=4 for each of the 24 conditions. The cultures were only allowed to progress for 2 days since this is a time frame in which any contaminating Schwann cells could have only undergone a single doubling, and sufficient for ascertaining whether the factors have promoted neuronal survival.

[0287] Staining and Scoring of the Cultures

[0288] After 2 days, the cultures were fixed and stained for tubulin b3 as described in Example 1. The tubulin b3-positive, neurite-bearing cells were counted in each well at a total magnification of 100×. Due to meniscus effects, and incubator vibration during the initial plating period, cells tend to preferentially concentrate in the center of the well. Thus in order to get a reasonably representative count of cell number 5 fields per well were counted: the center most field and four flanking fields (FIG. 6B). This manner of counting was used on all wells and is sufficiently consistent for the purpose of comparing the effects of different growth factor concentrations and combinations. The number of cells counted in every well was normalized such that the average number counted in the wells that received 0 ng/ml rhGGF2, and 100 ng/ml NGF equals a value of 100.

[0289] Results

[0290] It is clear from the results presented in FIG. 7, that rhGGF2 has no direct effect on the survival of SCG neurons. All surviving neurons exhibited robust axon outgrowth, and there was no noticeable effect on the extent of axon outgrowth. As expected in the absence of rhGGF2, the number of neurons reaches a plateau at 10 ng/ml. The presence or absence of rhGGF2 appears to make no difference at the 3 doses tested.

[0291] Discussion and Conclusions

[0292] In light of the results presented in Example 1, it was necessary to examine whether the effect of rhGGF2 on axon outgrowth could be attributed to a direct effect of rhGGF2 on the neurons in question. The results of Example 2 make it clear that this is not the case. Thus one must conclude that the effect of rhGGF2 on axon outgrowth observed in the tube paradigm is due to a “bystander effect” rather than a direct action on the neurons. Thus rhGGF2 can promote the healing response of injured neurons by inducing the production of neurite promoting factors by non-neuronal support cells.

Example 3

[0293] Increase in Myelinated Axon Growth in an Animal Model of Peripheral Nerve Injury Mediated by a Neuregulin

[0294] An animal model of peripheral nerve repair was used to test the ability of a neuregulin (rhGGF2) to increase the number of regenerating axons. The rationale is that added rhGGF2 will induce increases in Schwann cell (the first cell type) numbers as well as increases in the levels of trophic factors (Product A) produced by Schwann cells that, in turn, will affect a second cell type, the regenerating axons (the second cell type) as measured by increases in the number of myelinated axons (response).

[0295] Fisher 344 rats (male, 195-250 g) were surgically prepared and one sciatic nerve was transected resulting in a 10 mm gap. Polyethylene guide tubes (13 mm in length, 1.1 mm internal diameter) were prepared. These tubes contained a flat sliver of a collagen coated Immobilon filter (1.0×10 mm) containing immobilized rhGGF2 and were prepared as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/293,465, filed on Aug. 19, 1994, hereby incorporated by reference. The strips were inserted into the lumen of the guide tubes. RhGGF2 was used at a concentration of 162 ug/uL (in phosphate buffered saline), 2.5 uL of this solution was added per strip. Control tubes were prepared containing collagen coated Immobilon strips treated with phosphate buffered saline alone. Tubes were secured with a single suture at the proximal and distal ends after filling the lumen with physiological saline and sealing the ends with vaseline.

[0296] Animals (10 rhGGF2 treated, 10 controls) were sacrificed at 28 days and the section of sciatic nerve containing the tube was excised, the nerve was removed from the tube and a cross section was taken from the mid point of the tube and prepared for histological analysis. The material was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 2% glutaraldehyde for 24 h and then post fixed in 2% osmium tetroxide and embedded in glycomethacrylate One micron cross sections were taken and stained with 1 uM toluidine blue.

[0297] A histological analysis of a section from the mid point of the tube was performed and measurements were made of the total number of myelinated axons in a section and the total endoneurial area in each section. The data are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0298] The rhGGF2 treated animals showed a 2.1 fold increase in the number of myelinated axons over the control animals.

[0299] The results of this study demonstrate a positive effect of exogenously added rhGGF2 on the growth of myelinated axons. In consideration of the data discussed in example 1 where rhGGF2 acts on Schwann cells to induce the synthesis of products that are trophic for regenerating axons in an in vitro paradigm it is concluded that a similar mechanism is responsible for the rhGGF2 mediated enhancement of the growth of axons in vivo. 

1. A method of treating a neurological disorder involving neuronal degeneration in a mammal, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of neuregulin with p185^(erbB2), P185^(erbB3) or p185^(erbB4) binding activity to said mammal wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in the production of at least one neurotrophic agent which affects the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.
 2. A method of treating peripheral neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, nerve injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injury comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a nueregulin with p185^(erbB2), P185^(erbB3) or p185^(erbB4) binding activity wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in production of at least one neurotrophic agent by said neuronal-associated cells and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.
 3. A method of affecting cellular communication between neuronal-associated cells and neuronal cells in the central nervous system of a vertebrate, comprising administration of a neuregulin with p185^(erbB2), P185^(erbB3) or p185^(erbB4) binding activity to said vertebrate wherein said neuregulin interacts with said neuronal-associated cells, and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation of neurite outgrowth of said neuronal cells.
 4. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal-associated cells are nervous system support cells.
 5. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal-associated cells are glial cells.
 6. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal-associated cells are astrocytes.
 7. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal-associated cells are oligodendrocytes.
 8. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal-associated cells are microglia.
 9. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal cells are cholinergic neurons.
 10. A method of claim 3 wherein said neuronal cells are non-cholinergic neurons.
 11. A method of treating a neurological disorder involving neuronal degeneration in the central nervous system of a mammal, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a neuregulin with p185^(erbB2), P185^(erbB3) or p185^(erbB4) binding activity to said mammal wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in the production of at least one neurotrophic agent which affects the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells.
 12. A method of treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, nerve injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injury comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a neuregulin with p185^(erbB2), P185^(erbB3) or p185^(erbB4) binding activity wherein said neuregulin interacts with neuronal-associated cells, resulting in production of at least one neurotrophic agent by said neuronal-associated cells and said neurotrophic agent or agents affect the mitotic activity, survival, differentiation or neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells. 